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The troops have been over there for years, said the ministry's chief spokesman Tharit Charungvat.

However, Var Kimhong, chairman of the Cambodia Border Committee, told Agence France Pressethat Ta Muen is in Cambodia's territory.

Cambodia also alleged that Thailand had occupied the ruin since 1998 by sending 70 Thai troops to protect the historical site.

The Thai foreign ministry, however, dismissed Cambodia's claim of alleged Thai encroachment.

Earlier, Thailand and Cambodia were also locked in a border military stand-off over the Preah Vihear Temple following the listing of this ancient Hindu ruin as a World Heritage site.

Ta Muen Thom, the 13th-century Hindu temple situated on the Thai-Cambodian border, is a group of three pagodas.

The area is part of the disputed boundary where demarcation has not yet completed.

According to Tharit, the presence of Thai troops should not be seen as a cause of conflict since both countries have armed forces to provide safety in the area.

"Thailand has not bosted the number of troops," he added.

Commander of the Thai Armed Forces, Gen Boonsrang Niumpradit, yesterday called on Cambodia to pull back its troops from the area to avoid a further dispute.

But Cambodia's Defense Minister Tea Banh did not respond to the call, he said.

According to Thai authorities, the Ta Muen complex is in Thai territory as evidenced by the Fine Arts Department's registration of the ancient ruin as a Thai national archeological site 73 years ago.

Meanwhile Thailand has nominated Prasat Ta Muen Thom, which becomes the latest border dispute with Cambodia, to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, Fine Arts Department director general Kriengkrai Sampatchalit said Monday.

The Unesco is scheduled to consider the Thai nomination of the Prasat Ta Muen Thom and other Prasats in Surin, Buri Ram and Nakhon Ratchasima under "the Khmer Civilisation Route," in its meeting next year, he said.

"It is true that the Prasat is located just about 100 metres from the border in the Thai soil. The Fine Arts Department has found and registered as one our Thai ancient items since 1935, or about 73 years ago," he said.

The Thai side has since then renovated it and opened it for public long time ago, he said, adding the Cambodian government has acknowledged the renovation and all activities related to the place.

Kriengkrai also responded to a latest report last week that the Khmer troops tried to cross the border to visit the place, but the Thai army declined their attempt. The Khmer troops reportedly intended to station there.

He said Prasat Ta Muen Thom has usually welcomed all visitors but the Thai army stepped in to take care of the Khmer visit because they came in uniform and were armed with weapons.